Feral horses seek refuge on roadside near Bogibeel bridge

Time of India

2 days ago

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Dibrugarh: Descendants of British cavalry horses from World War II have been spotted seeking refuge on roadsides and elevated areas near the Bogibeel Bridge in Dibrugarh, after being swept away from their natural habitat in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park by the raging floodwaters of the Brahmaputra.
The displacement of these unique feral horses has drawn attention to one of India's most fascinating wildlife legacies — a population of wild horses that has thrived in the wetlands of Dibru-Saikhowa for nearly eight decades without human intervention.
Wildlife activists said several of these magnificent creatures were carried downstream by the powerful river currents during recent flooding and have now taken shelter on sandbars, locally known as 'Chapori,' before moving to higher ground along the Bogibeel area.
"These horses are living reminders of our wartime history. Their presence on the roads is both heartbreaking and remarkable — they've survived as a wild population for generations, and now they're adapting once again to survive nature's fury. The horses are strong swimmers, but the river current this year is exceptionally fierce. The floods have posed a severe threat to these horses, as their natural habitats — grassy meadows and sandbars — have been inundated.
We're hoping they'll return to their natural habitat once the water levels recede," Rajesh Bezbaruah, a wildlife conservationist said.
The feral horses of Dibru-Saikhowa represent a unique chapter in both military and natural history. During World War II, British troops established military bases in Tinsukia and surrounding areas, constructing stables to house cavalry horses that served in the conflict. After the war ended, many of these horses were abandoned and left to fend for themselves in the dense forests and floodplains of what would later become Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
The horses have flourished in the park's lush environment, which spans across Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts.
Wildlife experts estimate that several hundred of these feral horses roam freely within the sanctuary, coexisting with the park's diverse wildlife including wild elephants, tigers, and numerous bird species.
"What makes these horses extraordinary is their pure bloodline. We're looking at fifth or sixth-generation descendants with exotic lineage and no evidence of crossbreeding. They've maintained their genetic integrity in the wild for nearly 80 years. They know how to survive in challenging conditions," environmentalist and secretary of the Dibru-Saikhowa Conservation Society Joynal Abedin said.